Portable electric light



.- Dec. 7 1926.

'1 09,583 5. SOKOLOW PORTABLE ELECTRIC LIGHT Filed Feb. 1, 1924 Snvemtoz Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

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SAMUEL SOKOLOW, OF BBGCKLYN, NEW YQTK, ASSIGNOE T BRIG-HT STAR BATTERY COMPANY, A CORPGB-ATIQN OF NEXV YORK.

PORTABLE ELECTRIG LIGHT.

Application filed. February The present invention relates to an improvement in portable electric lights of the kind generally known as flashlights, wherein an electric battery within a portable casing supplies current to an incandescent bulb carried by the casing. These flashlights are generally provided with a reflector and lens and are so shown herein, although these features form no part of the present invention.

One principal object 0L the invention is to provide means whereby a more reliable and effective resilient contact is bad between the battery terminal and the lamp terminal. Another principal object of the invention is to accomplish the resilient contact between these terminals by means at the forward or lamp end of the casing, instead of at the rear or cover end thereof, as heretofore.

These ends are attained by interposing between the battery and lamp a special element which may be termed a resilient transmitting bufier. This element may take a great variety of forms, without departing from the invention; and it is to be understood that the particular form shown is exhibited by way of example.

The drawing shows an enlarged side elevation partly broken away and partly in longitudinal section of a complete flashlight equipped with my invention.

In the drawing, the outer cylindrical casing is shown at 10, containing a battery 11 of any usual type and closed by a cover 12, preferably screwing onto the rear end. The usual switch is indicated at 13, but as the circuit-closing means form no part of this invention they are notshown in detail.

The usual lamp bulb 14 is carried by a supporting disc 15 which preferably screws into the position shown. The usual reflector 16 is screwed into place on the disc 15 as shown and a shell 17 screws onto the forward end of the device, and preferably carries a lens, not shown.

Most of the features thus far named were known before my present invention, but in the flashlights heretofore used, the battery 11 has rested upon a spring between the bottom thereofand the cover, which spring generally conducts current from the battery to the cover. This spring is used to insure pressure-contact between the carbon or central terminal of the battery, shown at 18 herein, against the central or end terminal of the lamp bulb.

1, 1224. Serial No. 689,841.

My improved construction provides a resilient buffer between the lamp terminal and the battery terminal 18, and the preferred construction of this buffer is shown in section and in somewhat exaggerated I apart. 7

In order to guide the members in their movements and limit the degree of their separation, each member is cupped in the center, each cup being surrounded by a flange normally resting against the fixed insulating discs 23 and 24 respectively. These discs are at opposite ends of the shell 19. The cupping of the members and 21, also serves to better hold the ends of the spring 22 in place, so that no soldering or other securing of the spring is necessary.

The form of buffer just described is not herein specifically claimed, as it is claimed in a copending application of mine, filed December 31st, 1924, Serial Number 7 59023.

It is preferred to shape the forward end of the shell 19, as shown, with a neck which screws into a socket carried by the support 15. Into this neck 25 the bulb 14: is preferably screwed.

The batteries used in these flashlights are generally enclosed in an insulating cover, and, as this sometimes slips down a little, it is-preferred to insure direct contact between the rear or lower end of the battery and the cover 12 by pressing inward the central part of this cover as shown at 26.

When the parts are assembled as shown in the drawing, the screwing home of the bulb 14 at one end and the cover 12 at the other, causes the bulb to depress the cupped member 20, while the forward terminal 18 of the battery presses in the member 21. The spring 22 which is compressed between these members thus provides a resilient buffer between the lamp and battery, and at the same time insures effective resilient contact between the battery and bulb permitting the omission of the usual spring; Within the cover at the rear end of the battery.

Many changesniay be made in the structure shown Without departing from my invention, which is not limited to the details herein shown and described.

\Vhat I claim is 1. In a portable electric lamp, an outer casing, a removable insulating .la'inp support at the. forward end thereof having. a

central opening, a.-1netal plate havinga threaded vneck extending. through. said open- 'tion with. a metal; plate on top of the insulating support having a central threaded neck of greater diameter than the opening in said support, and a reflector threaded to fit said neck.

In testimony whereoi' I have hereto set .my hand on this 25th day of January, 1924.

SAMUEL SOKOLOlV. 

